Irish PM, Enda Kenny said he will strongly oppose a hard Brexit border

Enda Kenny, who has previously expressed his desire to work closely with the UK in the wake of Brexit, said Ireland will fight against the launch of a fortified barrier yesterday evening at the Institute of International and European Affairs in Dublin.

Sticking to his wishes of unity, Kenny maintained, “all strands of option” will need to support it.

Kenny added: “The Irish government will oppose a hard border, argue for free movement on this island, seek EU funding for cross-border projects and protect the rights of EU citizens, whether from North or South.

“We have no choice but to work together, North and South, all of us. That said, let me be absolutely clear on one point. It is a matter of vital national interest for Ireland that we do not return to the days of a hard border that we knew only too well. Or indeed create a new one in the future.”

In a bid to avoid the impact of Brexit, an Irish ambassador revealed Ireland’s plans to attract firms moving out of the UK.

Daniel Mulhall claimed, Brexit poses "very real challenges" for Ireland but the country is adopting a pragmatic approach and wants to benefit from "any upsides" from business moving away from the UK.

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Mr Mulhall said: “We naturally seek to avail of any upsides from this situation, such as the possibility of attracting some of the economic activity that may need to find a post-Brexit location within the European Union.”

Theresa May said she will not “turn back the clock” on Irish relations as she vowed to keep the border between the Republic of Ireland and the North open during a testing trip to Dublin.